Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Antarctica, uncovering an ancient lost world buried under ice for over 34 million years. Using satellite data and ice-penetrating radar, researchers revealed a hidden landscape that once thrived in forests and had towering ridges and deep valleys.
The discovered landmass, located in Wilkes Land, East Antarctica, spans around 12,000 square miles and features three blocks of higher ground separated by nearly 4,000ft-deep valleys. Unlike other glaciers that erode the ground beneath them, this ice sheet is “cold-based,” meaning it’s frozen to the ground and slow-moving, resulting in minimal erosion.
The landscape below has been remarkably preserved, with little change over millions of years. Scientists estimate the area moved less than 16 feet per year, allowing the ancient features to remain intact. The discovery is shedding light on the early and long-term history of the East Antarctic ice sheet and its potential evolution in response to future climate change.
The study’s findings suggest that this hidden region remained frozen even during later warm periods, such as the mid-Pliocene around 3 million years ago. Researchers hope that this discovery will provide valuable insights into Antarctica’s past and inform predictions about its future under a changing climate.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2068756/Huge-breakthrough-as-ancient-lost-world-discovered-under-ice-in-Antarctica